Latest News
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United Airlines returns flight due to engine failure
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that a United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo had to'return' to Dulles International Airport, in northern Virginia, on Saturday afternoon due an engine failure. United's spokesperson stated that the flight landed soon after takeoff because of the loss of power in one engine. The spokesperson reported that there were no injuries among the 275 passengers on board and the 15 crew. Social media X posted photos and videos of smoke?billowing near the runway. Dulles is the nearest international airport to Washington, D.C., located approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) away. The FAA announced that it would investigate the incident that occurred on United Flight 803, involving a Boeing 777 200 aircraft. Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, posted on X that a piece of the plane’s engine cover had separated and caught fire. This caused a brushfire on the ground. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed that the fire had been extinguished. A spokesperson for United said that the flight will be rescheduled to later Saturday, on a different plane.
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US: Belarus has agreed to stop balloon flights into Lithuania
John Coale, the envoy of U.S. president Donald Trump to Belarus, said that President Alexander Lukashenka had promised not to allow 'weather balloons' from his country to fly into Lithuania. Coale said in Vilnius after two days of discussions with Lukashenko, "He agreed to do everything that he can to stop the balloons." In the last few months, balloons?used by cigarette-smugglers? have forced over a dozen airport closures in Vilnius. Lithuania accused Belarus of facilitating smuggling and declared a state if emergency, asking the parliament to authorize military support to?police officers and border guards in order to combat the smugglers. Lukashenko stated on Tuesday that Lithuania is exaggerating its problem. "I think that the president is trying his best to calm things down. It will take time, but it is possible to resolve. Coale said that he wants a normal relationship with his neighbors, so he "assures" him. "I know Lithuania did everything they could to stop the recipients of the cigarettes, or whatever it was. "I think both sides are working", he said. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said that on December 1, the situation along the border had worsened. She called the balloon incursions by Belarus a hybrid attack that was "completely inacceptable". (Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius. Justyn Pawlak, Mark Potter and Justyn Pawlak edited the article.
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Ukraine says Russian drone attack hit civilian Turkish vessel
Ukraine's Navy accused?Russia on Saturday of attacking a civilian Turkish vessel carrying sunflower oil to Egypt with a drone, just a day after Moscow attacked two Ukrainian ports. The navy released a statement via Telegram stating that the vessel was named the Viva, and it had 11 'Turkish Citizens on board. The navy added that no one was injured and the vessel continued its journey towards?Egypt. The statement accused Russia of violating maritime law. "The strike took place 'in the open sea in Ukraine’s exclusive economic zones, outside of the range of Ukrainian aircraft defence systems," it said. The Navy said that it was in contact with Captain of the ship. According to Ukraine's Navy, on Friday, Russia attacked two Ukrainian ports and damaged three Turkish-owned ships. One of these ships caught fire. The attacks come after Moscow had threatened to "cut Ukraine from the sea" following Kyiv's attacks that damaged three tankers of Kyiv's'shadow fleet,' which were heading to Russia for its oil export. Max Hunder reported the story. Mark Potter (Editing)
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Spanish police arrest a drug gang using helicopters to fly drugs out of Morocco
Spanish police announced on Saturday that they had busted a criminal group using helicopters to smuggle Moroccan hashish in "a rare operation" against aerial drug trafficking. The Civil 'Guard spokesperson Gonzalo López said that the 'helicopters could carry up to 900 kg (1,100-2,050 pounds) of hashish, and then transport it by road into other parts of Europe. During raids conducted in the provinces Malaga, Almeria, and Murcia, police seized a helicopter, 657 kg hashish and five firearms. They also seized cash and vehicles. Six people were arrested in the operation that also included Moroccan, Belgian, and Swedish law enforcement agencies. It is rare that criminal gangs use helicopters to smuggle illegal drugs, but they do it occasionally. Police?sources said that helicopters were easy to detect, and difficult to purchase on the blackmarket. In the first half of this year, Spanish Police dismantled criminal groups who used drones for drug transport from Morocco to Spain. Spain's geographical position makes it an important?entry?point for hashish, mostly from Morocco, into Europe and cocaine, smuggled mainly from Latin America. Hashish is smuggled mainly by sea. Sometimes, it's done using jet-skis or high-speed launches. Six suspects were remanded on suspicion of drug trafficking and belonging to criminal organisations. They also possessed firearms. The Civil Guard has not stated when the operation called Giro took place. Reporting by Graham Keeley. Mark Potter edited the story.
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Iran detains 18 crew of foreign tanker captured in Gulf of Oman
Iranian authorities arrested 18 crew members of an alleged smuggled fuel tanker that was seized by the Hormozgan Province judiciary on Friday. The captain of the tanker was among those who were detained as part of a?current investigation. The identity of the vessel and nationalities of the crew were not revealed. Authorities said that the tanker was in violation of multiple laws, including "not obeying stop orders (and) attempting to flee" and lacking navigational and cargo documentation. Iran has been fighting fuel smuggling on land and at sea by Gulf Arab countries. Reporting by Menna alaa Eldin and Dubai Newsroom, Editing by Jan Harvey
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California files suit against Trump administration for terminating transportation grants
California says decision is arbitrary and threatens economy, safety Trump addresses concerns over non-English speaking truck drivers California drivers are less likely to be involved in fatal accidents than the national average By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Dec 12) - California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Friday night for the withholding of more than $33 millions in federal funding. The U.S. Transportation Department had said that California failed to comply with the rules requiring English language proficiency for truckers. In U.S. District Court, northern California, the state filed a lawsuit against Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Transportation Department as well as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration over the decision to end the grants for California’s commercial vehicle safety program announced in October. California has said that it enforces English language?standards? for commercial drivers which are compatible with federal requirements. The decision is "arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion; and?contrary?to law; threatens the safety and economic damages of all Californians." The Trump administration took a number of steps in response to concerns regarding foreign truck drivers that do not speak English. ?In August Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States would immediately suspend the issuance all worker visas to commercial truck drivers. Requests for comments from the FMCSA and Transportation Department were not immediately responded to. The Transportation Department also threatened New York State on Friday to withdraw $73 million of funding over the issue of commercial driver's licenses issued improperly to non-U.S. Citizens. This is the latest threat from the Trump administration aimed at "Democratic-run" states. After a fatal accident in Florida and an audit by the government, the Transportation Department released emergency rules restricting commercial driver's licenses for non-U.S. nationals. Trump regularly threatens funding for large cities led by Democrats. This includes major infrastructure projects in Chicago, New York, and California. He also threatens to revoke commercial driver's licenses that are issued by Minnesota, New York, and California for non-U.S. citizens. The funds withheld by California are for roadside inspections and enforcement of traffic laws, safety audits on trucking companies, and public education campaigns. California reported that drivers with a California license are involved in 39% less fatal commercial vehicle crashes than the national average. The English proficiency standard for commercial drivers was already a long-standing U.S. Law. However, an April order by Trump reversed the 2016 guidance that inspectors shouldn't remove them from service if they only had a lack of English. In 2023, FMCSA reported that approximately 16% of U.S. drivers are born outside the United States.
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Boeing's Air Force One, the new aircraft for the US President, has been delayed yet again
The U.S. Air Force announced 'on Friday that the delivery of the first of two new Air Force One aircraft from Boeing will be delayed another year, to mid-2028. This is the latest of a number of delays. The Air Force One program, which involves the conversion of two 747-8 aircraft into specialized jets with advanced communication and defense systems to serve as next generation U.S. Presidential air transport, would be four years behind schedule, with a delivery date in 2028. Boeing said it was making progress with the program. "Our main focus is to deliver two Air Force One aircraft that are exceptional for the country." Mid-February, Trump voiced his displeasure at?Boeing while excluding European rival Airbus. Elon Musk, Trump's adviser, "helped us a great deal" to navigate the delivery of the presidential jet. L3Harris Technologies, a defense contractor, was recently hired by the?government to refurbish a Boeing 747 that had been used as interim Air Force One. (Reporting and editing by Maju Samuel in Bengaluru, Abhinav Paramar in Bengaluru)
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AFGE to challenge US decision invalidating union contract for 47,000 TSA officers
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi?Noem terminated on?Friday the collective bargaining agreements covering 47,000 Transportation Security Administration?officers?,?the department announced in a press release. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents airport screening officers at the airport, announced that it would challenge the decision. The Department of Homeland Security announced that it would implement a new labor framework starting on January 11, and no longer collect?union dues' from TSA officers. In June, an American judge issued a preliminary order blocking Noem’s?March 7, 2017 attempt to terminate the collective bargaining contract. The U.S. House of Representatives, on Thursday, voted to restore collective bargaining rights for about 1 million federal employees who are unionized, including TSA. This was in response to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March. The lawmakers said that Trump's executive order sought to repeal the collective bargaining rights of 67% federal workers. Federal workers are subject to significant labor rights limitations. They are not allowed to bargain over wages, benefits or job classifications, and they are also prohibited from striking. Everett Kelley, AFGE National President, said that Secretary Noem's decision ripping up the union contract of 47,000 TSA agents was an illegal act retaliatory to union-busting. TSA announced on Friday that the new labor framework will "return the agency to a security focused framework?that prioritizes workforce preparedness, resource allocation and a mission-focused focus while ensuring an effective stewardship taxpayer dollars." Trump forced the resignation of TSA Administrator David Pekoske on January 20. He had appointed him to his job in 2017, and Joe Biden reappointed him. Trump has yet to name a candidate to replace Pekoske. After nearly a full year of negotiations, the TSA and AFGE reached a seven-year labor agreement in May 2024. Biden's administration increased the scope of bargaining allowed in 2022 for TSA workers. As part of the deal, workers received enhanced shift-trade options, an increased allowance for uniforms, and parental bereavement and weather and safety leaves. Reporting by David Shepardson, Washington; editing by Aurora Ellis
Egypt's state grain buyer is under scrutiny for delayed payments and broken agreements
According to sources in the trade and industry, increased trade tensions, which earlier this year resulted in a decline in Egypt's imports of wheat, have caused a shakeup at Egypt's state grain buyer. A newly appointed leader is attempting to restore credibility. Egypt has operated a transparent procurement system for decades to ensure supplies of bread subsidies that feed tens and millions of people. It is also a cornerstone in social stability. Egypt is now one of the largest wheat importers in the world and a benchmark price for global markets. Six traders from global suppliers of vegetable oils and wheat to Egypt said that the newly formed military-linked agency Future of Egypt ditched formal tenders of its predecessor, the General Authority for Supply Commodities, in favor of informal negotiations.
Six traders reported that delayed payments, repeated attempts to renegotiate or cancel contracts by the new agency when global wheat prices and vegetable oil fell were viewed as defaults by many traders. This was something unheard of in GASC. The six traders claimed that these practices caused strained relationships with their suppliers, and were the major reason for the dramatic drop in Egypt's imports of wheat in the first half 2025.
Alexander Karavaytsev is a senior economist with the International Grains Council. He said that Egypt's public bids have "long been a barometer of global wheat prices".
He said that the shift from indirect to direct negotiation under Mostakbal Misr had reduced transparency on the market and slowed down dealmaking. This may have dissuaded some suppliers.
Three traders said that in recent weeks some global suppliers have resumed their sales to the agency after former GASC official Yousria Yousry Mohamed was appointed to oversee international purchasing. Three traders said that Mohamed, who was an official at GASC they had dealt with often, brought a level familiarity and professionalism to their dealings with the former state agency.
Some suppliers said that her appointment had helped to restore confidence. They reported that payments were initiated on time and contracts completed.
Future of Egypt, Egypt's Supply Ministry and the President's Office did not respond to comments for this article.
In recent years, global grain traders like Cargill and ADM as well as Russian's Aston, Ukraine's Nibulon, and Soufflet, Bunge and Solaris were among Egypt's main suppliers. Companies did not respond when asked for comments on the recent changes in Egypt's grain buyer.
Imports of wheat are a sludge
According to data from shipping and trading, Egypt imported 5.2 million tons of wheat during the first half 2025. This is a quarter lower than the same time period last year. The government's portion of these imports fell by more than half, to approximately 1.6 million metric tons. This does not include any domestic purchases made by brokers or private companies.
According to an Egyptian trader who reviewed records, at one point in April Egypt's wheat stock was just a little more than a month worth of grain in storage. Another two months were still being negotiated.
According to data released by the government, this was far below the target of holding six months worth of grain and below the seven-months' worth held at mid-2024. Two people claimed that the buffer was restored after the local harvest in late April.
One source said that the agency had slowed down imports to prepare for this year's large harvest. We could not determine if payment issues under Future of Egypt contributed to the lower stock.
Karavaytsev predicted that Egypt's imports will recover in the second part of the year. He said that the country's crops were likely to shrink in the next season. This would be a challenge for this new agency.
Karavaytsev added that the government's purchases and activities in the private sector would be more efficient. He also predicted that Egypt's grain stocks will contract for a 3rd consecutive year, 2025/26. They are expected to reach a multi-year minimum.
Egypt is looking to reduce its dependence on wheat imports in the long run, but a sudden decrease could expose the country to price volatility internationally, logistical disruptions or poor harvests which would quickly drain its strategic reserves.
Inflation, currency volatility, and increasing debt have all been persistent economic pressures on the country in recent years. Critics claim that President Abdel Fatah Sisi’s increasing reliance on military enterprises is stifling private sector investment.
PURCHASES COMING TO LIGHT IN PORT
Future of Egypt, unlike GASC, does not reveal its deals. The six traders said that the purchases are only revealed when the vessels arrive in port, which makes the process less transparent. They asked to remain anonymous to discuss commercial deals.
The six traders stated that while negotiating initial contracts can be straightforward, it is the execution of those contracts which poses the greatest challenge. Renegotiations and unclear commitments, as well as delayed payments, undermine trust.
They said that such issues have caused multiple disputes in the last few months.
Two people with knowledge of the situation said that a Ukrainian supplier filed arbitration after deals fell through because Future of Egypt did not issue letters of credit to them. Two people familiar with the matter said that a Ukrainian supplier initiated arbitration proceedings after deals collapsed due to Future of Egypt not issuing letters of credit to the supplier.
Few suppliers would risk such a move. Future of Egypt did not complete the payment, and the cargo was subsequently resold at a loss to another buyer.
According to one source, the Ukrainian company has initiated arbitration proceedings against one of UK-based trade associations which handles such disputes.
Could not independently verify if the dispute was arbitrated informally or formally, or if it involved an intermediary instead of the buyer.
Future of Egypt, and the Ukrainian firm did not respond when asked for comments. The Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations, an arbitration association, stated that it had no open cases with Future of Egypt. Meanwhile, the Grain and Feed Trade Association, which is also involved in arbitrations, failed to respond to inquiries.
A French wheat supplier also threatened legal action after Future of Egypt did not open a letter of credits for a shipment in May. Three traders claim that the shipment was loaded in July, after Future of Egypt had opened a letter of credits.
Since then, the supplier has sold more cargoes. Traders say that Future of Egypt is too important a customer to lose.
Another global supplier said that, despite the change in leadership, it was delaying deals until the company saw reliable, consistent trade, backed up by contracts with enforceable terms and accountability.
(source: Reuters)